Boswell, British Columbia (Central Coast) facts for kids

Boswell was once a small town in British Columbia, Canada. It was located on the coast, near a body of water called Smith Sound. Boswell was known as a "cannery town." This means its main purpose was to support a fish cannery.

The town of Boswell first showed up in official records in 1955. It was a stop for steamboats that brought supplies and workers to the Boswell Cannery. This cannery was one of many along the coast of British Columbia.

After the cannery closed, people moved away. By 1987, Boswell became completely empty. Today, it is considered an abandoned place, sometimes called a "ghost town." However, the old dock from its busy days is still there. Sailors sometimes use the site for shelter and water.

What Was a Cannery Town?

A cannery town was a community built around a factory that canned fish. In British Columbia, many towns like Boswell grew up around salmon canneries. These canneries processed huge amounts of fish caught nearby.

Workers would live in these towns, often for just the fishing season. They would clean, cook, and can the fish. This made it possible to send fish all over the world.

The History of Boswell

Boswell first appeared in official records on April 7, 1955. It was listed as a "steamboat landing." This was a place where steamboats could stop. These boats were important for travel and trade along the coast.

The steamboats served the Boswell Cannery. This cannery was one of 243 such factories along the British Columbia coast. Canneries were a big part of the economy back then.

Why Boswell Became a Ghost Town

The cannery eventually closed down. When the main reason for the town to exist was gone, people started to leave. Steamboat service also ended, making it harder to get to and from Boswell.

By 1987, Boswell was listed as uninhabited. This means no one lived there anymore. It is now officially an "abandoned locality." Even though it's empty, the old wharf is still there. It reminds us of the town's past.

How Boswell Got Its Name

Boswell gets its name from the nearby inlet, called Boswell Inlet. This inlet was named to honor two sisters, Hazel and Olive Boswell.

Their father was St. George Boswell, an engineer from Quebec. Their grandfather was Henri-Gustave Joly de Lotbinière. He was a very important person in British Columbia. He served as the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia from 1900 to 1906.